Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin developed a new method to rapidly detect single viruses in urine, including Ebola, Zika, and HIV. The technique is highly selective and can be used with urine straight from a person or animal, unlike other methods that require higher concentrations or purification.
Researchers at UT Austin detected a rare event of intron gain in the genome, which could expand our understanding of gene expression and its impact on diseases like cancer. The study found that only two instances of intron addition occurred over nearly half a trillion attempts.
Researchers have found direct evidence of past changes in the Totten Glacier's glacial history, revealing unstable zones prone to rapid collapse. This study sheds light on the region's vulnerabilities and warns of potential catastrophic consequences for sea level rise.
A study at the University of Texas at Austin found that relationship satisfaction depends on how a partner compares with other potential mates. Participants reported being happier and devoted more effort to relationships when their partners fulfilled their ideal preferences.
Researchers create a new method for generating truly random numbers using two weakly random sequences, offering higher levels of security for data encryption, electronic voting, and simulations. This breakthrough could improve cybersecurity and increase the accuracy of complex systems.
Researchers have identified a group of proteins that form the base for functioning cilia, allowing cell-to-cell communication. Mutations in these genes result in ciliopathies, which affect various birth defects and can be lethal.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that ticagrelor, a commonly used antiplatelet medication, did not significantly reduce stroke risk in patients with transient ischemic attacks or minor strokes. The study suggests that combination therapies may be needed to better prevent strokes in this vulnerable pati...
Researchers sequenced DNA of oil-munching microbes to reveal the genetic potential in different bacterial species, including newly identified ones. The findings show that some bacteria can break down aromatic hydrocarbons, shedding light on their role in limiting damage from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill.
Researchers have discovered a slow-slip event that lasted two weeks, resulting in 15-20 centimeters of movement along the fault. The finding increases understanding of the relationship between slow slip and normal earthquakes, highlighting the potential for using offshore monitoring systems to predict damaging earthquakes.
The University of Texas at Austin researchers have developed an injectable, regenerative gel that delivers proteoglycans and a growth factor to stimulate the growth of blood vessels and restore blood flow in the lower limbs. The treatment has shown promising results in mice with ischemia and diabetes, with 85% recovery of blood vessels.
A meta-analysis of 50 years of research on spanking found that it is associated with increased anti-social behavior, aggression, mental health problems, and cognitive difficulties. Spanking was linked to detrimental outcomes consistently across all types of studies, including those using strongest methodologies.
A new study reveals that volcanic activity associated with continental plate movement may have driven climatic shifts from hot to cold over tens and hundreds of millions of years. The research found that periods of high volcanic activity coincided with warmer conditions, while low volcanic activity was linked to colder, icehouse periods.
A comprehensive analysis suggests that a series of Texas earthquakes, including a 4.8 magnitude event in 2012, could be caused by wastewater injection. However, the study emphasizes the need for high-quality subsurface data to confirm this finding.
New research finds that chemical weathering can weaken rock structures in river beds, making them more susceptible to erosion. The study reveals a positive feedback loop where high precipitation rates maintain high erosion rates despite continuously exposing 'fresh rock'.
Researchers found that wind carved massive mounds of more than a mile high on Mars over billions of years. The study linked the formation of these mounds to climate change on Mars, with sedimentary rocks forming at the base and wind-deposited sediments creating the mound's shape.
A new study shows that storing extra surface water in underground aquifers can increase groundwater supply during droughts. Regions that actively store surface water have seen increased groundwater levels, even as surrounding areas depleted theirs.
A new study maps the global spread of Zika, linking it to two mosquito species that can effectively carry the disease, including Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Cities in the US, Europe, and Asia are at risk, with Miami and Houston among the highest-risk areas.
Researchers at UT Austin break reciprocity in conventional antennas, enabling independent control of incoming and outgoing signals with large efficiency. This breakthrough technology may lead to faster data rates, improved connections, and reduced bulky systems in various applications.
A study by UT Austin sociologist David Pedulla found that workers in part-time positions and those with mismatched employment histories face challenges in the labor market. Women employed below their skill level were penalized for appearing less competent, while men faced penalties for appearing less committed.
Researchers analyzed the oldest known penguin fossil and found no significant changes in brain structure compared to modern penguins. The study suggests that becoming flightless did not directly impact brain anatomy, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers are launching a controlled experiment in four area school districts, introducing school gardens and nutrition and cooking classes for high-risk students. The program aims to improve dietary intake and reduce obesity and metabolic risk, with promising effects seen in an earlier pilot study.
Researchers found bacteria can recognize and disrupt viruses using a novel RNA-based defense mechanism. This discovery could lead to improved ways to prevent crop diseases and dairy industry infections, and may inspire new gene-editing techniques.
Researchers discovered a new species of extinct worm lizard in Texas, dubbed the 'Lone Star' lizard. The discovery sheds light on how certain animal groups responded to climate change in the past and provides insight into potential future adaptations.
Researchers at UT Austin found that a type of cancer in children grows only when signaled by nearby noncancerous cells. This discovery contributes to the growing field of environmental research on cancer spread and holds promise for new, less toxic treatments.
A new study confirms that school reopenings are a primary driver of asthma exacerbations in children, with cold viruses being largely to blame. The research found a significant correlation between the timing of school starts and hospitalizations, highlighting the importance of preventive measures during peak viral transmission periods.
A recent UT study found a decrease in highly effective contraceptive services and an increase in Medicaid-paid childbirths after Planned Parenthood was removed from a Texas women's health program. The researchers also discovered that the removal led to a significant drop in claims for long-acting, reversible contraceptives like implant...
Researchers created a paleo-velocity map for Greenland, showing the ice sheet's flow pattern over the past 9,000 years. The study found that the ice sheet's interior is moving more slowly than during most of the Holocene period, while glaciers along the edges are rapidly thinning.
An international team of researchers embarks on a monthlong expedition to Antarctica in search of ancient fossils, hoping to answer questions about the origins of modern bird and mammal groups. The team aims to uncover evidence of mammals from the Cretaceous period, which could shed light on evolutionary diversifications in Antarctica.
Researchers found that chimpanzees with more frequent social interactions had more diverse gut microbiomes. The study suggests that social networks play a crucial role in maintaining healthy gut microbial diversity, a finding with potential implications for human health.
Researchers developed bubble-pen lithography, a technique that uses microbubbles to inscribe nanoparticles onto a surface with precise control. This method allows for the creation of new materials and devices, such as metamaterials, with unique properties.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin discovered a brain mechanism that allows us to play back memories in fast forward, compressing information needed for memory retrieval, imagination, or planning. This finding has implications for research into schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and Alzheimer's disease.
A recent report finds that genetic information and data collection from noninvasive devices can help develop personalized weight management plans. With the falling cost of genome sequencing and portable monitors, scientists have the ability to collect the necessary data but need better analytical tools to analyze it.
Research suggests children as young as 5 use high-fidelity imitation to re-affiliate with excluded groups, mimicking behaviors such as dress and activities to appear part of the group. Ostracized children exhibit increased anxiety and frustration compared to those included by out-groups.
A new study finds that the Colorado River Basin's water supply is controlled more by natural climate patterns than human use. The researchers used NASA satellite data and local monitoring records to reconstruct changes in the basin's water storage since the 1980s.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that natural selection drives prairie voles to be either fully monogamous or seek multiple partners due to genetic brain differences. The findings suggest that these genetic variations are not favored by natural selection, but rather co-exist in the population.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed two antibodies to potentially treat or prevent pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that affects millions of infants worldwide. The antibodies potently neutralize pertussis toxin, bolstering immune function and rapidly reducing white blood cell counts.
New research from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that rock salt used to store nuclear waste may not be as impermeable as previously thought. Deformation of the salt can create connected pore networks that allow fluids to flow, making it a more significant concern for storage sites.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a self-healing gel that repairs and connects electronic circuits without external stimuli. The gel has high conductivity, strong mechanical and electrical self-healing properties, and can be used as a soft joint to join circuit parts.
Erosion caused by glaciation during ice ages can wear down mountains faster than plate tectonics can build them, according to a new study. The research, conducted over more than a decade, revealed that erosion rates accelerated sharply about 1 million years ago when global climate cooling triggered stronger and more persistent ice ages.
Scientists have discovered that certain fish use microscopic structures called platelets in their skin cells to reflect polarized light, allowing them to camouflage themselves from predators. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective materials and technologies for ocean camouflage.
Research challenges scientific beliefs that wing shape is primarily determined by flight style, finding that ancestry plays a more significant role. The study analyzed wing geometry across major bird groups and found varying wing shapes within closely related species.
Researchers have detected how nature produces key chemicals similar to those in drugs that fight malaria, bacterial infections and cancer. The discovery sheds light on a complicated chemical process in nature that synthetic biologists can now borrow to engineer a whole new class of synthetic medicines.
Researchers at UT Austin developed a nanoscale machine made of DNA that can autonomously walk in any direction, opening doors for cancer detection and therapeutic delivery. The DNA walker, with two legs connected by a torso, moves randomly and avoids re-tracing its steps, demonstrating a new level of complexity.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a new flame retardant made from polydopamine, a natural compound found in humans and animals. The nanocoating reduces fire intensity by 67% and is about 20% better than existing flame retardants.
A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has invented a method for producing inexpensive and high-performing wearable patches that can continuously monitor vital signs. The breakthrough reduces manufacturing time from days to just 20 minutes, enabling mass production of epidermal electronics.
Researchers used a gel-like substance called Carbopol to study the resistance of rock formations in the middle crust to fracturing. The study provides insight into how large earthquakes and slower moving events interact, with potential implications for predicting seismic activity.
A new safe and sustainable cathode material has been identified for low-cost sodium-ion batteries, addressing instability issues and paving the way for commercialization. The material's structure allows for sodium to be inserted and removed while retaining its integrity, enabling further development of sodium-ion batteries.
A study published in Nature has identified nearly 1,000 common protein complexes shared by most kinds of animals, revealing deep evolutionary relationships. These findings have significant implications for understanding the genetic basis of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer across different species.
Researchers found that ancient Maya activity contributed to environmental decline and continues to influence today's conditions. They identified six stratigraphic markers indicating large-scale change in climate, vegetation, hydrology, and lithosphere.
Researchers have found that a 12,000-year-old climate shift in northern latitudes occurred rapidly, while equatorial regions took hundreds of years to respond. This discovery can help scientists understand the relationship between temperature and precipitation in the face of climate change.